Adventures of a Muppet: CALIFORNIA! (In Pictures)

We're finally back from California, and what a wild, fun ride we had! :D No relaxing on this trip, but those are my favorite kinds- Adventure! :D We begin in the very wee..and I mean wee hours of the morning. Typically, I'm heading to bed at this time.. but no. No, today, we wake. At 3 am.

I have to admit, we look pretty peppy for 3 hours of sleep and waking up at 3 in the morning.

Getting ready to board the plane. Apparently they thought they were gangsta. But I know the truth.

Beautiful morning here in Dulles, VA. I was trying to distract myself from the fact that we were flying cross country. I don't hate to fly, but I certainly don't feel very comfortable knowing that I'm about to be thousands of feet in the air. At least it was a gorgeous sunrise.

Coincidentally, even though the thought of being thousands of miles above the Earth doesn't discourage me from wanting to be next to the window. I actually prefer it.

And then this came on my iPod and I chilled out. I do love me some Michael Giacchino. :D

Clearly, I was the only one that couldn't even attempt to sleep. But it made for great photo opportunities. :D

Like this one. I call it "Sleepy time with Haley."

Or this one...

I don't know what kind of face this is. Don't ask me..

Haley finally woke from the dead and we resumed our sister picture taking.

Why I love sitting at the window: This. As I sat having my own moment of spastic elation at the fact that I could see the Grand Canyon, the Pilot came on and announced that it was indeed, the Grand Canyon. I've never been, so this was a great first experience!

We land in Los Angeles, and the first thing we do...Starbucks. We flew 2309401238756 miles for Starbucks. We hadn't even seen a Welcome to L.A. sign yet!

Oh, here's one..

In the Lobby of the Peacock Suites in Anaheim, where we stayed. What can I say, I'm a Disney Geek! Since it was only 10 am, we decided to make the most of our day by driving not so far away and visiting Huntington Beach, the Surf Capital of the US mainland. I'd like to go back and spend more time there. I loved the small town feeling.

Huntington Beach, CA

Cheese! :D

Huntington Beach Pier. It screams "I LOVE SURFING!" :D

Hollywood Hills. <3 p="p">

HEYYYYY HOLLYWOODDD! :D

Funny story: While standing on the hill, we witness 3 individuals acting like kids experiencing echoes for the first time. They were shouting, and giggling at their echoes coming back. Finally someone shouted, "SPACE!" (echo: space space space) and AJ shouted "The Final Frontier!" Funny to us, but apparently they didn't think so. Well, that's what you get when you're nerding off a hill by the Hollywood sign. And it's okay. We're nerds too, you don't have to explain it to us.

Dinner at Bubba Gump! I wish they'd bring that to Maryland!

Oh, YAY! :D

Day 2 - La Jolla

You can kind of see the seals. Seriously one of the coolest places on Earth! I'm coming back to snorkel!

Nice, clear water. :D

Cave! I loved walking in this cave!

View from the CAVE! WITH SEALS!

Haley and AJ in the Cave. La Cava La Jolla

Cheese from inside the cave. With Waves!!

Random children I didn't want in the picture, but what can you do.

Haley points to seals. Where she's pointing is an underwater snorkle park. I plan to do that.

Fourth of July celebrations in La Jolla.

No problem! I don't want to fall off, thanks.

Pretty!

This was a fun spot too. We had to time it so when the waves rolled out we could run to the other small out cove. I found some really fantastic Shells which is why I'm sure they call it Shell Beach. (har har) But still a great place!

The Cliffs of INSANITY! No, not really..

Go, Rich, Go!

Me and the Cliff of Insanity. :D

Part Two of Day Two - San Diego Gas Lamp Quarter

Gaslamp was really fun. I'm still pissy that we missed the San Diego Comicon. My inner geek was screaming, "DON'T GO! Don't GO!" But we went, and we had a blast. :D